Electronic waste (e-waste) is no longer accepted in kerbside bins or landfill sites across Campaspe Shire with government regulations now in place to ensure these valuable materials are recycled.
Mayor Cr Adrian Weston said recycling your old electronical items is the right thing to do and it aligns with the statewide ban that came into effect on 1 July.
"Any item with a plug, cord or battery that is no longer required is e-waste and can be taken to any of council's transfer stations for recycling free of charge," Cr Weston said.
E-waste is growing up to three times faster than general municipal waste and it contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium which is harmful to the environment. It does however contain valuable resources that can be reused such as gold, silver and copper.
"Up to 90% of computers, phones and televisions can be recycled. In fact almost all parts in your old electronics can be remade into something new," Cr Weston said.
By recycling e-waste, we can reduce what is sent to landfill, minimise the consumption of raw materials used to produce electronic products, and reduce greenhouse gases created in the production of new materials.
Some common e-waste items include:
- computers/laptops/computer screens/keyboards/mouses/printers and cartridges
- coffee machine
- kettle
- mobile phones/ tablets
- microwave
- cables
- sandwich press
- radio label maker
- television
- lamps
- batteries
- headphones
- fluorescent lights
- air conditioner
- power tools
- electric fan
- large appliances (fridge/washing machine)
- iron
- hair dryer
- electrical tools such as drills
- battery operated toys, video games/consoles/hand held
"We encourage the community to take their unwanted e-waste to any of council's eight transfer stations where collected materials will be diverted from landfill and recycled properly," Cr Weston said.
